Press Releases and Statements

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With one-third of commercial aircraft maintenance and repair work outsourced abroad, transportation unions today endorsed legislation to improve the safety, security and oversight of foreign repair work. The SAFE AIR Act of 2008 was introduced today by Senators Claire McCaskill (Mo.) and Arlen Specter (Pa.). “For too long, this Administration has ignored […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, in reaction to the results of the Delta Air Lines flight attendants’ election to form a union: “Delta Air Lines flight attendants have been denied a fair opportunity to join a union. We call on the National […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, following the House of Representatives’ vote to approve the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act (H.R. 2744): “Congress never intended to exclude pilots and flight attendants from employment protections that are guaranteed by the Family and Medical […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, concerning the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill: “Now that Senators Rockefeller and Baucus have reached an agreement on how to fund aviation modernization and improvements, it is now up to the full Senate to advance a badly […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, in light of today’s Congressional hearing criticizing the FAA’s safety oversight of the nation’s airlines: “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for enforcing our nation’s aviation safety standards. But in recent reports of major oversight lapses […]

SAN DIEGO – Holding Amtrak accountable to its new contractual obligations, defending aviation employees against airline mergers and protecting transportation workers from the harmful effects of unfair trade policies are among transportation unions’ top priorities, as discussed at the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO’s annual winter meeting on Sunday. Leaders of the 32 unions that comprise […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Richard L. Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO and Edward Wytkind, President, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO issued the following statement following today’s meeting of the national AFL-CIO aviation union leaders to review and develop a strategy in response to the latest wave of possible airline mergers. “The American labor movement is deeply concerned about possible […]

Washington, D.C. – Transportation unions are deeply disappointed but not surprised that the President has again issued a budget that badly short-changes the transportation system and infrastructure needs of our nation. “This Administration has kept the streak alive,” said Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. “Eight consecutive Bush budgets have neglected our […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO: “We are again disappointed that President Bush failed to provide leadership regarding our nation’s crumbling transportation infrastructure for the eighth time in a row in last night’s State of the Union address. “The Minneapolis bridge collapse in […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was offered by Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO: “There is no doubt working people are reeling as the U.S. economy continues to weaken. As the Administration and Congressional leaders take action to spur the economy and create jobs, we urge all involved to include investment […]